Evacuations ordered in flooded East Kootenay

Torrential rains and widespread flooding prompted evacuation ordersin southeast British Columbia.

In East Kootenay, high water levels breached part of the dike causing water to flow through a trailer park and surrounding homes in the community of Hosmer.

Meanwhile,arapid rise in the Elk River threatened roads and homes in and around Elkford,a community in the Rocky Mountains, bordering Alberta. Police say reception centres can be found at the Elkford Firehall and Fernie Curling Centre in East Kootenay.

• Alberta flood: 'I watched a refrigerator go by. It's insane'
• Read more about the flooding and evacuations in Calgary

On Thursday, more than 130 mm had fallen injust24 hours, causing the Elk River to crest over the dike south of the Elk River Bridge, floodingthe east side of Highway 43.

As of Friday, Highway 43 through Elkford has been reopened to all traffic. Drivers are asked to drive slowly around the barriers where shallow pools of water remain on the road surface.

An evacuation alert also remains, should conditions change.

While the Elk River levels has dropped, officials say overnight rain may increase the flow and ask residents to stay away from the Elk River and Boivin Creek and to stay off the roads and trails north of Elkford.

As of Friday, hundreds of people were allowed to return to their mobilehomes and trailers next to Michel Creekafter highwaters caused debris to pile up at a railway bridge. They remain on evacuation alert.

Highways closed

Elsewhere across B.C., weather warnings have been lifted, but the B.C. River Forecast Centre said streamflow advisories remain in effect for waterways throughout the Kootenay and Columbia regions.

Manyhighways damaged by floods and mudslidesremain partly- or fully-closed.

The Trans-Canada HighwayHighway 1eastbound from Golden to Banffremains closed due to multiple washouts and debris flow sites in Alberta, but the highway is open westbound from Banff to Golden.

Authorities are advising travellers heading to or returning from Alberta to use Highway 5 and Highway 16 as alternate routes.

Meanwhile, Highway 31A between New Denver and Kaslo has been reduced to a single lane. Expecta 30-minute delay.

Highway 93 north of the junction of Highway 95Ais reduced to a single lane with alternating traffic.

And Highway 93 east of Radium to Castle Junction remains closed due to multiple washouts and debris flow sites in Alberta. Crews are working on the scene and no detour is available.

The Lytton Ferry also remains closed due to high water levels.